National women's emergency helpline launched in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced its National women's emergency helpline on Monday in Tamil Nadu.

Earlier in 2013, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced its helpline number after the Nirbhaya incident happened in Delhi. Similarly, for the safety of women in Tamil Nadu, the Social Welfare and Nutritious Meal Programme department will be inaugurating the helpline along with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), state health department and the police department to have the hotline fully functional.

The helpline number for Tamil Nadu will be ‘181' working around the clock to provide the required support and for the security of women. The helpline centre is set up in Ambattur near Amma centre where state chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami launched the initiative. It was developed at a cost of Rs 62.70 lakh.

Women facing domestic violence and sexual harassment at home or workplaces can contact the toll-free helpline 181, to get assistance ranging from police help, legal aid or medical services including ambulance, an official release said.

The service will be available round-the-clock on all days of the week, and women can also get information on welfare schemes aimed at their benefit, besides government aid being provided to victims of domestic violence among others, it added.

Similar call centres to support women has previously been set up in Gujarat, Telangana, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. In November 2017, a 24x7 helpline was set up in Telangana, and in March 2017, the Kerala government too introduced ‘Mitra 181’ and was inaugurated by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

People facing sexual harassment, domestic violence (dowry harassment), mental health issues, and other issues can also call the helpline for their assistance

(With Inputs from agencies)

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